Coming of Age

One of the primary themes in the novel is the coming of age of Ven Polypheme, the primary character in the novel. The plot follows Ven from his home in Vaarn, where he is part of a large family of shipbuilders, to the foreign island of Serendair, where Ven becomes an aide to the king, and learns to take control of his own destiny. Ven is a talented boy, being groomed by his father to become a ship inspector, unbeknownst to Ven at the opening of the novel. Ven has a natural sense of curiosity, and unlike other Nain, he loves to travel and loves the sea. His race, however, is not always popular above ground, as the Nain tend to live underground. But the Polypheme name is well known in Vaarn, where Ven lives, and thus, his life is commonplace and quite blessed.